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Aerospace Materials Engineered for Excellenceby Kevin Moon

13 Sep 2024
Aerospace, Aluminum, Stainless Steel

The aerospace industry is constantly growing and evolving with innovative technologies. From advancements in commercial aircraft to space exploration, the search is always on to find the right materials to go further and faster than ever before. The industry’s top competitors are always working on improving what currently exists and inventing innovative ideas to revolutionize modern aerospace. There are many sectors that make up the aerospace industry, including commercial aircraft, commercial rotary aircraft, turbo props and regional jets, business/executive jets, military aircraft, and commercial space. 

Aerospace Metals 

What do engineers look for in aerospace materials? The type of material and specifications are determined by the application. Aircraft parts can be found both inside and outside of an aircraft in the form of tray tables and seats as well as turbine engines, wings, and rudders. Components that make up the body and key elements of the aircraft must adhere to additional quality and performance standards for extreme temperatures, strength, durability, corrosion resistance and more. thyssenkrupp Materials NA supplies a variety of materials used in these applications including aluminum, stainless steel, and more. 

aerospace satellite

Aerospace Aluminum

One of the most popular materials for aerospace is aircraft grade aluminum. Aluminum is considered aircraft grade when it has exceptional material properties, is pure, meets manufacturing standards, is certified and tested, and is able to withstand heat. thyssenkrupp Materials NA stocks an assortment of some of the most popular and common aerospace aluminum including 2024, 6061, 7050, and 7075.

Aircraft Grade Stainless Steel

304 and 316 stainless steels are common alloys in aerospace components for their strength, corrosion resistance, heat resistance, and other qualities. Although heavier in weight than aluminum and other materials, stainless steel has higher durability in stress situations, making it ideal for structural components.

aerospace-aluminum

Other commonly used stainless steel alloys are 13-8 and 15-5, both widely used in the aerospace industry due to their exceptional qualities. 13-8 stainless steel is primarily composed of iron with additions of other metals. It has high strength and hardness, strong corrosion resistance, and a high toughness. It is commonly used in structural parts, aircraft fitting, and landing gear due to its high strength, reliability, and performance under stress. 15-5 stainless steel has similar properties and uses but contains copper, enhancing its overall strength and corrosion resistance. It is known for its exceptional performance at elevated temperatures and can be found in engine parts, airframe structures, and fasteners. 

Aerospace Standards

AS9100 is recognized as the quality certification in the aerospace industry, similar to ISO 9001. The standard guarantees that each facility meets quality management requirements for aviation, space, and defense organizations. thyssenkrupp Materials NA boasts 17 AS9100 certified locations and more on the way, providing materials to the industry’s top companies in commercial aerospace. We also hold ISO9001 approvals which have earned us delegated source acceptance status from numerous aerospace customers. We provide downloadable copies of our certification documents from our resources page. 

Customer Support

thyssenkrupp Materials NA offers more than just high-quality materials. We work with our customers to offer a range of solutions to accelerate growth. Services include shipping with our thyssenkrupp Materials NA supply services, reducing the number of transfers and reducing lead times. Additional services include kitting, custom cuts and development of near net parts make thyssenkrupp Materials NA the first choice for materials in aerospace.


thyssenkrupp Materials NA boasts the largest stock of aerospace materials in the industry with over 250,000 square meters of warehouse and production space, and materials are cut to size and machined exactly to customer specifications. With our solution selling approach, large product inventory, and close connections in the industry, we can accommodate a wide variety of orders and use our extensive resources to provide the best service possible. 

Contact us today to learn how thyssenkrupp Materials NA can accelerate your aerospace project!

Kevin Moon Author

About the Author

Kevin Moon, Director of Aerospace at thyssenkrupp Materials NA, brings over three decades of experience to the field of aerospace material sourcing and solutions. With a career spanning since 1990, Kevin is a recognized expert in providing comprehensive metal solutions, including copper, brass, bronze, stainless steel, aluminum, and nickel. His deep knowledge and innovative approach to sourcing, coupled with a strategic focus on custom programs, inventory management, and logistical support, position him as a key authority in the aerospace sector. Kevin’s leadership at thyssenkrupp Materials NA ensures that clients benefit from cutting-edge materials and tailored solutions that drive efficiency, reduce costs, and support the advancement of aerospace technologies.

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